Elmo Shropshire
Encyclopedia
Elmo Shropshire, D.V.M. (born October 26, 1936 in Lexington, Kentucky
), better known as Dr. Elmo, is a singer of comedy
songs, most notably "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer
." He originally recorded the song in 1979 with his then-wife Patsy. He re-recorded it solo in 1992 for the album Dr. Elmo's Twisted Christmas and again in 2000 for the album Up Your Chimney. He also recorded two albums of year-round songs: Dr. Elmo's Twisted Tunes (1993) and Love, Death and Taxes (2000).
, and has a degree in veterinary medicine from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. After moving to San Francisco
, he opened an animal hospital and became a competitive runner, all while continuing to play with his bluegrass band.
) and became an instant regional superstar.
Elmo originally invested $40,000 of his own money to produce the original album and music video for "Grandma..." and in return, he's become "a millionaire five times over". Since then, Elmo has become part of a class action suit against Sony based upon the royalties paid from digital downloads and ringtone sales.
In the Christmas special, "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer", Dr. Elmo was the co-writer, the voice of Grandpa and the adult Jake narrating.
Elmo & Patsy - Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer, 1983
Dr. Elmo's Twisted Christmas, 1992
Dr. Elmo's Twisted Tunes, 1993
Dr. Elmo - Love, Death, and Taxes, 2000
Dr. Elmo - Up Your Chimney, 2000
Dr. Elmo's MisceLOONYous Tunes, 2000
Dr. Elmo - Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, 2002
Dr. Elmo - Christmas in the U.S.A., 2004
Dr. Elmo Sings the Boos, 2005
Redneck Dracula, 2006 (Dr. Elmo on 6 songs and The Halloween Ghouls on 4)
Dr. Elmo Bluegrass Christmas, 2010
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
), better known as Dr. Elmo, is a singer of comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
songs, most notably "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer
"Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" is a novelty Christmas song, which led to the creation of an animated movie with the same title.Written by Randy Brooks, the song was originally performed by the husband and wife duo of Elmo and Patsy Trigg Shropshire in 1979...
." He originally recorded the song in 1979 with his then-wife Patsy. He re-recorded it solo in 1992 for the album Dr. Elmo's Twisted Christmas and again in 2000 for the album Up Your Chimney. He also recorded two albums of year-round songs: Dr. Elmo's Twisted Tunes (1993) and Love, Death and Taxes (2000).
Early life
Elmo is a native of Lexington, KentuckyLexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
, and has a degree in veterinary medicine from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. After moving to San Francisco
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, he opened an animal hospital and became a competitive runner, all while continuing to play with his bluegrass band.
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer
In 1979, Shropshire recorded "Grandma..." (written by his friend Randy BrooksRandy Brooks
Randolph Frederick "Randy" Brooks is an American television and film actor known for his role as a L.A.P.D. Detective Holdaway in the 1992 hit cult film Reservoir Dogs...
) and became an instant regional superstar.
Elmo originally invested $40,000 of his own money to produce the original album and music video for "Grandma..." and in return, he's become "a millionaire five times over". Since then, Elmo has become part of a class action suit against Sony based upon the royalties paid from digital downloads and ringtone sales.
In the Christmas special, "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer", Dr. Elmo was the co-writer, the voice of Grandpa and the adult Jake narrating.
Discography
Elmo & Patsy - Elmo & Patsy, 1974 (Kim-Pat records)Elmo & Patsy - Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer, 1983
Dr. Elmo's Twisted Christmas, 1992
Dr. Elmo's Twisted Tunes, 1993
Dr. Elmo - Love, Death, and Taxes, 2000
Dr. Elmo - Up Your Chimney, 2000
Dr. Elmo's MisceLOONYous Tunes, 2000
Dr. Elmo - Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, 2002
Dr. Elmo - Christmas in the U.S.A., 2004
Dr. Elmo Sings the Boos, 2005
Redneck Dracula, 2006 (Dr. Elmo on 6 songs and The Halloween Ghouls on 4)
Dr. Elmo Bluegrass Christmas, 2010